SAN DIEGO.- Juan Soto, the stellar Dominican outfielder, and the New York Yankees agreed Thursday to a one-year, $31 million contract that broke the record set by Shohei Ohtani for a player eligible for salary arbitration.
Vladimir Guerrero, a Toronto slugger, requested $19.9 million, the highest amount among the 23 players who exchanged salary proposals with their clubs. At the start of the day, there were 194 players eligible for arbitration.
Among the 171 players who reached agreements with their teams was Pete Alonsofirst base of the Mets ($20.5 million); Corbin BurnesMilwaukee right-hander ($15,637,500); Max Fried, left-hander from Atlanta (15 million); the Venezuelan Gleyber Torressecond baseman of the Yankees (14.2 million); Shane Bieber, righty from Cleveland ($13,125,000); the dominican Willy Adames, Milwaukee shortstop (12.25 million); his compatriot Framber Valdezleft-hander from Houston (12.1 million), and Kyle Tuckerranger on the same team (12 million).
The Venezuelan was added to the list Anthony SantanderBaltimore outfielder (11.7 million); Christian Walker, Arizona first baseman (10.9 million), and Zac Gallenright of the same set (10,011,000).
Soto earned a salary of $23 million last year, his only full season with San Diego. He can become a free agent at the end of next season, when he will be 26 years old.
The Dominican hit .275 with 35 homers, 109 RBIs and a .930 OPS last year with the Parentswho acquired him from Washington on August 2, 2022, after he rejected a 15-year, 440 million offer made to him by the Nationals.
The Yankees They acquired Soto, from the Parentslast month.
Cases outside the Yankees:
Ohtani played last season under a one-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. This agreement was signed in October 2022.
The Japanese declared himself a free agent after the World Series of 2023 and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgersfor a record amount of 700 million dollars and 10 years.
Toronto offered Guerrero a raise from $14.5 million to $18.05 million. The Dominican, three times elected to Stars gamehit .264 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs, and is eligible for free agency after the 2025 campaign.
Adolis Garciathe Cuban star who shone in the postseason with Texas, has the largest difference between his proposal and that of his team, for 1.9 million dollars.
The outfielder requested an increase to 6.9 million dollars and the champions of the World Series They offered 5 million.
The Venezuelan Luis Arraez, two-time batting champion, asked Miami for a raise that would leave his salary at 12 million, instead of 6.1 million. The Marlins They offered the second baseman 10.6 million.
Harold RamirezColombian outfielder from Tampa Bay, will go to the hearings, as will right-hander Jason Adams. Both won their cases before the Rays last winter.
Ramírez asked for a raise to $4.3 million, instead of the current salary of $2.2 million. He was offered 3.8 million.
Adams asked to win $3.25 million instead of $1,775,000. The Rays They have put 2.7 million on the table.
Eligible players without agreements may attend hearings before the arbitration panels, made up of three members, from January 29 to February 16 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For four consecutive years, teams have won most decisions. In 2023, the ratio was 13-6.
Since 1974, when salary arbitration began, The clubs lead the players by 347-257.
FOUNTAIN: AP
